Many folks in California are aware of the 4-H youth program, which is a nationwide youth program to advance knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and communities by creating opportunities for youth. The program seeks to promote positive youth development, facilitate learning, and engage youth in the work of the Land-Grant Universities and USDA to enhance their quality of life. Many folks, however, are not aware that the 4-H program in California is administered by the University of California - Ag & Natural Resources (ANR), specifically the Cooperative Extension program (UCCE). As the title of HREC (Hopland Research & EXtension Center) reflects, one of our objectives is to provide "extension" work and part of that is support of the local 4-H program.
Here you see the mess-hall of the current 4-H summer camp for Lake and Mendocino Counties, which is held at Camp Navarro (owned by Boy Scouts of N.A.) in the redwood country. About 245 4-H youth, staff, and volunteer adults are fed 4 meals per day (includes the popular PBJ sandwich snack after evening campfire) by a hard-working and diligent volunteer kitchen staff.
The educational foundation for the 4-H programs lies in, 1) science, engineering, and technology that is tied to agriculture and environmental issues, 2) healthy lifestyles tied to human health and well-being, and 3) citizenship tied to activities of people with institutions and government for the common good.
My personal experience with the local 4-H program has proven to me that the youth involved mature to be good, solid citizens of the community that "give-back" the the local community for many years. Oh, and did I mention that the UC funding cuts negatively affect the 4-H program! So ... tell your state legislatures.
